The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has issued 43 notices of violations (NOVs) to companies that did not comply with the mandated price freeze in the wake of Typhoon Carina and the southwest monsoon.
In a statement on Wednesday, Aug. 21, DTI Acting Secretary Ma. Cristina A. Roque said that affected stores have 48 hours from receiving the NOV to provide a written explanation for their non-compliance, in accordance with due process.
To recall, the National Capital Region was declared under state of calamity on July 24.
“The DTI is committed to safeguarding fair markets for both consumers and businesses. Our aim is not to impede business operations, but rather to support legitimate businesses and protect consumers from profiteering and hoarding in the market,” Roque said.
On Tuesday, Roque conducted a price monitoring operation, focusing on wet markets and supermarkets.
The DTI chief, along with the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Makati City Local Government Unit (LGU), checked 12 wet market stalls and two grocery stores in Barangay Guadalupe Nuevo to verify adherence to the price freeze on key goods.
“We want to ensure fair pricing, especially during these challenging times,” she added.
All monitored supermarkets in the area were fully compliant with fair trade practices.
In addition, the monitoring teams verified that the public market’s "Timbangan ng Bayan" (public weighing scale) was properly calibrated and that an updated price board was clearly displayed.
Also, in attendance were officials from the DTI including Fair Trade Group Supervising Head and Assistant Secretary Agaton Teodoro Uvero, and Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB) Director Fhillip Sawali.